APPA CAS Program User Guide

Cycle Timeframes

Applicant Portal

The Applicant Portal opens in late September and closes in early September. You can view the specific cycle dates, including final processing dates (e.g., last date to submit transcripts, last date to request letters of recommendation, etc.), on the APPA CAS Application Cycle Dates page.

Configuration Portal

Between early August and mid-September, configurations are entered into the prelaunch environment. The account team and APPIC review submitted configurations in September.

Outcomes

You can view new applicants in late October.

Program Participation Requirements

APPIC requires all programs to designate two contacts at your institution who will receive all communication from APPIC and APPA CAS, including the configuration, application, and Outcomes launch notifications.

Applicant Portal

The first three sections of the APPA CAS application (i.e., Personal Information, Academic History, and Supporting Information) compose the core application. They contain questions that are commonly asked of applicants across all participating programs, such as an applicant's biographic information, standardized test scores, and experiences. The fourth section of the application is Program Materials, which is customized by you through the Configuration Portal (discussed in the next section).

You can access the APPA CAS application and APPA CAS Applicant Help Center to review the applicant experience. You can also create a test application in the Applicant Portal; we recommend creating a new account and adding "test" to your name (e.g., TestJohn TestDoe).

For a general overview of the applicant experience, review the following documents:

• Applicant Processing Reference Guide: learn how applicants move through the application and Liaison processes applicant materials, such as transcripts and official test scores.
• Application Statuses Reference Guide: review what each application status means and how you can interact with applicants at different stages.
  • Review the requirements for the APPA CAS Complete application status.
• APPA CAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs: a suggested timeline for completing and submitting the application, links to important pages including cycle dates and fees, and a FAQs section.

You can direct any applicant inquiries related to the application to APPA CAS Customer Service.

Configuration Portal

Once you've configured your program, you'll need to have it approved by the account team and APPIC before it is available to applicants. If your program is reviewed after the cycle launches, APPIC will approve it.

Outcomes

Review the Outcomes Help Center for any questions related to working in Outcomes.

• Working with the Dashboard: the Dashboard in Outcomes is the landing page where you arrive after logging in.
• Navigating the Applications Grid: the Applications section is the central hub for viewing, editing, and processing applications to any of your programs.
• Navigating an Application: review your applications and learn how to edit the layout of this page.
• Working with Segments: segments are groups of applications or contacts that meet a specific set of criteria you’ve established through filters. You can use Segments to move applicants into the correct Phase.
• Working with Phases: use Phases to organize applicants, corresponding with their current status with your institution.

The Release Notes feature new enhancements in Outcomes, in addition to upcoming training opportunities.

For any questions, contact the Client Support Specialist Team.

Cycle Enhancements